Psalm 147:4 “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.”
From the very beginning of time, men have gazed with wonder into the night sky, gasping with awe at the glorious scene spread before them. The vast expanse of “stars” continues to challenge man’s ability to know, understand, and define. In vain, men have devised philosophies to explain the expanse of stars above us. Some imagine explanation with “science falsely so called” (I Timothy 6:20). Some imagine religious explanation by cobbling together Biblical Texts out of their context. Concerning such imaginations, Paul wrote, “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” (I Corinthians 8:2) and “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,” (I Timothy 6:4). While it is good and wonderful to learn all we can about our God’s magnificent Creation, we must refrain from surmising explanations, most especially those explanations that leave God out of the equation. But, what we do know is that God knows. He knows the “number of the stars” and He “calleth them all by their names”! Not the pagan names given by mystic worshipers who worship false gods, the sun, the moon, the stars, etc.; but, names given by God that glorify Him. The point is, there are things that man does not know and cannot find out; but, the God that we worship and serve knows, for He Created them. The Psalmist declares to us that “our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” (Psalms 115:3). Such a God, with His Sovereign, Infinite Power and Authority is worthy of our faithful worship and obedience. Knowing of His Sovereign Majesty, we ought to clearly and loudly proclaim, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” (Psalm 147:5). Our “LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground” (Psalm 147:6). Our “LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy” (Psalm 147:11). Our “LORD” “maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat” (Psalm 147:14). So, whatever our tribulation is, let us “Praise ye the LORD” (Psalm 147:20), let us “stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD” (Exodus 14:13), and let us hear and take comfort in the glorious words of our Lord: “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalms 46:10); for, our God “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20)!